Valve



Patented Sept. i3, 193% VALVE Charles L. Rayeld, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Ray Engineering Company, Chicago, ill., a corporation of illinois lamination February zo, 1937, serial No.. 126,'1'11 14 claims. (ci. 23a-228) The present invention relates in general to a valve structure andis more particularly concerned with improvements in the exhaust valves of pumps, compressors, and the like; and espe- 5 cially with such apparatus of this type as.may be utilized in connection with air conditioning and refrigerating systems for pumping the cooling or refrigerant fluid.

In such systems, where high pressure refrigerants such as dichlorodifluoromethane, methyl chloride, ammonia, and the like are used, it has heretofore been dimcult to secure a quietly operating pump or compressor. The noises accompanying the operation of such pumps or compressors at high speed with high pressure refrigerants emanate primarily from the operation of the exhaust valve and are commonly referred to as valve slap.

Having the foregoing objections to the present day apparatus in mind, this invention seeks to provide an improved valve arrangement which is so constructed that the valve slap and other noises attending the operation of the valve are substantially eliminated.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved valve mechanism which will operate 'eiliciently and with substantially little or no noise, when the pump or compressor is operated at high speed.

It is also an object to provide improved means in a valve structure for cushioning the seating operation of the valve, whereby the usual valve slap in exhaust valves may be substantially eliminated.

of simple construction in which the valve parts may be easily removed for replacement or repair.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will more fully appear from the follow- 'ing detailed description taken in connection .with the accompanying drawing which illustrates a -single embodiment thereof, and in which:

Figure 1 is a sectional view showing the operative relationship of the exhaust valve of the present invention with the pumping instrumentalities of a compressor or the like; and

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view through the valve mechanism, taken substantially lon line II-II of Figure 1. I

As shown on the drawing:

Although the valve of the present invention may be utilized with compressors or pumps of Still another object is ,to provide a novel valve r valve with a compressor of the type disclosed in my United States Letters Patent No. 2,098,065.

This patent shows in detail a compressor which is particularly adapted for high speed operations and the pumping of high pressure uids for air conditioning and refrigerating systems.

The compressor shown therein embodies eccentric actuated pistons cooperatively associated with cylinders which are so mounted that the cylinders are oscillated about a pivot in response. to the actuation of the pistons by the eccentrics. Advantage is taken therein of the oscillatory movements of the cylinders to control the opening and closing of the main inlet and outlet ports, whereby the admission and exhaust of the fluid being pumped to and from the cylinders is accomplished at the proper time. The main inlet and outlet ports operate on the slide valve principle.

The valve of the present invention is an auxiliary exhaust valve which works in conjunction with the main exhaust valve of the compressor, and it is thought that its operation and construction Will be clearly understood, if its coperative relationship with an oscillatable cylinder of the type disclosed in the aforementioned patent, is shown herein. That is, that it is not necessary to include in the present disclosure all the details of compressor, but only those parts that cooperate with the auxiliary valve.

For purposes of illustration, the valve of the present invention is shown in Figure 1 as being associated with a compressor which embodies a casing structure I0 having an opening II therein which is closed by a cover plate I2, this cover plate serving as a housing support for the valve of the present invention.

The cover plate I2 also serves to support a cylinder block I3, the cylinder block being pivoted on a stud I4 for oscillatory movement. A nut I5 threaded on the outer end of the stud I4 engages a spring type washer I6, whereby the cylinder block is resiliently forced against the cover plate I2.

- The cylinder block contains a cylinder bore I'I having its axis parallel to but displaced 'from the axis of the stud I4.

cooperatively associated with the cyinder bore I1 is a reciprocable piston I8 which is arranged to be connected to an actuating eccentric (not shown). Reciprocation of the piston will also result in oscillating the cylinder block about the stud I4, under which condition the cylinder bore will be moved in an arcuate path.

The end of the cylinder bore which is disposed posed in the path of travel of the open end of the cylinderbore I1. With this arrangement, when the cylinder block is oscillated to a position. |3a, as shown in dotted lines, the open end of the cylinder will be in communication with the inlet port opening, At this time a wing portion 23 of the cylinder block operates to close the exhaust port 22.

When the cylinder block is oscillatably moved in the opposite direction to a position shown in dotted lines at |312, the exhaust port is brought into communication with the cylinder bore and the inlet port is closed by`a wing portion of the cylinder block as indicated at 24.

The inlet and exhaust ports are spaced apart at such distance that when the cylinder is in central position as shown in full lines, both ports are entirely cut oi from the cylinder. However, as the cylinder is oscillated, a slight amount toward its position at I 3a or its position at |31), either the inlet port or the exhaust port respectively Will be connected tothe open end of the cylinder. Of course, in the mid-position of the cylinder, the piston will be at the end of its compression stroke or its intake stroke.

From the above, it will be apparent that the main valve of the compressor will be formed by the cooperation of the wing portions 23and 24 with the exhaust and inlet ports. In other words, the main valves of the compressor are of the slide valve type. i

In order to prevent the system pressure or the pressure in the exhaust passage 2| from being communicated to the cylinder, when the piston is on its compression stroke, until the pressure in the cylinder has been built up to the system pressure,'there is inserted in the exhaust line of the compressor an auxiliary valve arrangement which constitutes the present invention.

As illustrated, the cover plate I2 is providedV with a socket 25 having a dished bottom 26 which communicates at its center-with the exhaust port 22. The open end of this socket is threaded to receive the threaded portion of a plug 26a.

The plug 26a has a polygonal head portion 2l adapted to overlie the outer surface of the cover plate I2 and engage against a suitable sealing gasket 28. The inner end of the plug is provided with a central boss 29 containing a spring socket 30 for receiving one end of a spring 3|, the other end of this spring being in engagement with a disc member 32.

'I'he disc 32 serves as a valve and isforcedbythe spring into a seating position against the peripheral edge portion of vthe bottom of the socket 25. The disc 32 is of such size that its peripheral edge will slidingly engage the wall .of socket 25 and thus act as a piston.

When the Valve disc is in seated position, the

`portion of the socket lying between the plug 2G and the disc is in communication with theexhaust passage 2l. The socket wall in this portion is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced recesses 33 which in this instance are substantially semi-conical in shape, the apex portion of the recess being disposed adjacent the plug and the base portion of the recess being disposed adjacent the surface of disc 32 which fa'ces toward the plug.

With the foregoing arrangement,v it will be evident that the disc must be unseated a predetermined amount, in this instance an amount substantially equal to the thickness of the disc, before iluid may be passed around the disc through the recesses 33. In other words, when the valve disc has been unseated a predetermined amount, communication is establishedl between the exhaust port side of the valve disc and the exhaust passage 2l.

Likewise, disconnection of the exhaust passage relative to the exhaust port will take place slightly before the valve disc reaches its seat. Further movement of the valve disc, when the exhaust port is closed by the wing portion 23 of the cylinder block, will tend to compress fluid in the dished bottom portion of the socket, thereby cushioning the nal seating of the valve disc and substantially eliminating valve slap.

From the foregoing description, it is thought that the operation of the compressor valve arrangement constituting the present invention will be fully apparent and further description of the operation will be unnecessary.

It will be apparent from the description, that the present invention provides an improved valve mechanism for eliminating Valve slap and other noises attending the operation ,of the usual valve; which is especially adapted for use with compressors operating at high speed and pumping high pressure refrigerants; and in which the valve parts are simple in construction and may be easily removed for replacement or repairs.

It is of course to be understood that although I have described in detail a single embodiment of my invention, the invention is not to be thus limited, but only insofar as defined by the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a fluid compressor having a cylinder and reciprocable piston operatively associated, an

exhaust portfrom said cylinder, a main slide valve closing said port substantially at the end of the compression stroke of said piston, an auxiliary valve adapted to subsequently close said port, and means for cushioning the closing of the auxiliary valve, whereby valve slap is substantially eliminated.

2. In a fluid compressor, means for compressing a fluid, an exhaust port for the compressed fluid, a main valve for opening and closing said port, and an auxiliary valve member for opening and closing said port, said port being disposed on the seat side of said valve member, and an exhaust passageway communicating with the other side of said member and adapted for connection to a fluid pressure system, when said member is seated, said passageway being so disposed that, when the member is unseated a predetermined amount, communication is established between said port and passageway.

3. In combination with a compressor having means operative to compress a uid, an exhaust port passageway for the compressed fluid, a main valve for opening and closing one end of said port passageway, and auxiliary valve means for opening and closing the other end of said port passageway, an annular shoulder formed at the latter aiaaeea end of the port passageway deiinin'gka` seating surface, a spring actuated valve member arranged to seat on said surface, a wall at the outermost edge of said shoulder dening a cylinder for said valve member, recessed portions in said wall for by-passing fluid around the valve member when the valve is moved away from said seat a predetermined amount, said recessed portions being disconnected relative to said port by said valve member prior to its reaching seated position, whereby with the main valve closed, thev to move one side of the valve member into and out of seating engagement with said surface, the periphery of said valve member being in sliding engagement with the Wall of said socket, spring means normally tending to seat said valve member, an exhaust passageway normally communieating with the other side of the valve member and adapted to be connected to a fluid pressure system, and means for connecting and disconnecting the exhaust passageway relative to said exhaust port when the valve member is unseated.

5. In combination with a compressor having lineans operative to compress a fluid, an exhaust port, valve means for opening and closing one end of said port, and auxiliary valve means for opening and closing the other end of said port, said latter means comprising a seat, a member dening a cylinder wall, a valve member operatively associated with said seat and having piston relationship with said wall, spring means normally tending to seat said valve member, and an exhaust passageway connected to a system containing a iiuid under pressure and in communication with thev exhaust port, when the valve member is spaced from its seat, and disconnected relative to the exhaust port prior to the valve member reaching seated position. y

f 6. In combination with the main exhaust valve of a compressor, an exhaust port, a spring pressed valve member for` op'ening and closingsaid port, an outlet passageway connected to said exhaust port when the auxiliary valve is open, and disconnected relative to said exhaust port prior to the seating of the valve member, ,and ldashpot means for cushioning the movement of the valve member to seated position.

7. In combination with the main exhaust valve of a compress/or, an exhaust port, a spring pressed valve member for opening and closing said port, l

an outlet passageway connected to said exhaust port when the auxiliary valve is open, and disconnected relative to said exhaust port prior to the seating of the valve member, and dashpot nfeans including said valve member for cushioning its movement to seated position.

8. A compressor valve comprising an exhaust port, a spring pressed valve member normally closing said port, an exhaust passageway adapted for connection to a uid vpressure system disconnected relative to the exhaust port when the valve r member is closed, andconnected to the exhaust port when the valve member is open, and dashpot means for cushioning the seating of said valve member, whereby valve slap is substantially eliminated.

' 9. A compressor valve comprising anv exhaust port, a spring pressed valve member normally closing said port, an exhaust passageway adapted for connection to a iluid pressure system disconnected relative to the exhaust port when the valve member is closed, and connected to the exhaust port when the valve member is open, and dashpot means including said valve member for cushioning its movement to seated position.

10. A compressor valve comprising a socket having a bottom end in communication with the compressor exhaust, a closure .member for the other end of said socket, a disc member in said socket having its periphery in sliding engagement with the Wall oi the socket, a spring having its ends respectively in engagement with the disc and closure member, whereby the disc is actuated to fully closed seating position, and an outlet passageway adapted for connection to a uid.

pressure system communicating with the interior of said socket, said passageway being in communication with both sides of the disc member when the disc is in fully opened unseated position, and only one side when the disc is in fully closed seated position.

11. In combination with a compressor having an exhaust port and a slide valve for closing one end of said port, an auxiliary valve for closing the other end of said port comprising means deiining a valve body having an annular cavity open at one end and communicating at its other end with said port, ya dat disc in piston relation with the wall of said cavity arranged to seat at the port end of said cavity, a screw plug closing the open end of said cavity, a projection on the inner'end of said plug forming an abutment l for said disc, said projection having a socket therein, a spring having one end disposed in said socket and its other end in engagement with said disc, whereby the disc is normally forced to seating position, and an outlet passageway leading from said cavity adapted for connection to a iluid pressure system, said passageway being so disposed as to subject both sides-of the disc to the pressure of said system when the valve is open and one side only when the valve is closed.

12.`A device of the character described comprising means dei'lning a valve body having an annular cavity open at one end and defining an inlet at the other end, a valve disc in piston relation with the wallof said cavity arranged to seat at the inlet end of said cavity, a screw plug closing the, open end of said cavity, a projection on the inner end of said plug forming4 an abutment for the` disc when the valve is open, said projection deilning a socket, a spring having one end disposed in said socket and its other end in engagement with said disc, whereby the disc is normally forced to seating position, and an outlet connection to said cavity adapted to communicate with a fluid pressure system, said outlet being disposed s o as to communicate with both sides of the disc when the valve is open and one side thereof when the valve is closed.

13. In a fluid compressor having a cylinder and reciprocable piston operatively associated, an` exhaust port from said cylinder, a main slide .valve closing said port substantially at the end of the `compression stroke of said piston, an auxiliary valve adapted to subsequently close said port, and means for cushioning the closing of the auxiliary valve, whereby valve slap is substantially eliminated, said means being eective to cushion the closing of the auxiliary valve when the port is closed by said slide valve.

14. In combination with a uid compressor having a cylinder and reciprocable piston oper-v atively associated, an exhaust port fromvsaid cylinder, a main valve arranged to close one end of said port substantially at the end of the compressiony stroke, an auxiliary valve socket at the other end of said port dening a seating surface at its juncture with said port, an auxiliary valve within said socket having its periphery in piston relation with the wall of the socket, a spring acting to move the auxiliary valve toward said seating surface, said socket on the spring side of said valve being connectible to a iluid pressure system, and means controlled by the movement of said auxiliary valve for subjecting both sides thereof to the system iuidl pressure, when the valve is open, and disconnecting the seat side of the auxiliary valve relative to the system pressure prior toits reaching seated position, whereby movement of the auxiliary valve to seated position by the spring will compress the fluid between the main and auxiliary valves and cushion the seating of the auxiliary valve.

CHARLES L. RAYFIELD. 

